Valve for regulating the flow of a liquid

ABSTRACT

A new valve for regulating the flow of liquid has two housings that are removably attached to one another. When the housings are separated, the liquid can no longer pass through the valve. A system of magnetic elements is used to cycle the flow of liquid (urine) through the valve. The valve is typically connected to an indwelling bladder catheter and the valve allows the patient to be at least temporarily disconnected from a collection bag.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

A new design for a valve that regulates the flow of a liquid has theability to passively regulate the flow of liquid and allows the valvehousing to be disconnected, allowing movement of the person to whom thevalve is connected away from a collection bag.

Many people, at home, in a hospital, and in third-party care facilitiesrequire the use of an in-dwelling bladder catheter because of a medicalcondition. However, being constantly attached to a bladder bag thatholds the liquid (urine) is inconvenient and potentially andunnecessarily limits the person's movement and living conditions.

A new valve allows for the cyclical emptying of the bladder and allowsthe patient to be disconnected from the collection bag.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a valve for regulating the flow ofa liquid therethrough that includes a first housing having an inlet andan outlet, a second housing removably attachable to the first housing,the second housing having an opening extending therethrough, a firstmagnet disposed in the first housing in a predetermined position, thefirst magnet being stationary relative to the housing, a second magnetdisposed in the first first housing, the second magnet movable relativeto the first magnet, and a sealing member disposed in the first housingadjacent the outlet, the sealing member sealing the outlet in the firsthousing when the second housing is disengaged from the first housing.

In some embodiments, the valve includes a resealable opening disposed inthe first housing.

In some embodiments, the valve includes a vent disposed in the secondhousing.

In some embodiments, the sealing member includes an elastic member thatengages a portion of the first housing and the second housing has aprojection that engages the sealing member and compresses the elasticmember when the second housing engages the first housing.

In another aspect, the invention is directed to a removable housing toengage a housing with at least one closable opening therein, theremovable housing includes an outer housing having first end to engagethe housing with at least one closable opening and a second end toengage tubing, an opening extending between the first end and the secondend of the outer housing, a latch disposed adjacent the first end toengage at least a portion of the housing with at least one closableopening to maintain the removable housing in contact with the housingwith at least one closable opening, a projection disposed at leastpartially within the opening, the projection extending from a middleportion of the opening toward the first end and configured to bedisposed within an opening of the housing with at least one closableopening.

In yet another aspect, the invention is directed to a valve forregulating the flow of a liquid therethrough that includes a firsthousing having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet and outlet being influid communication with one another, a second housing removablyattachable to the first housing, the second housing having an openingextending therethrough and in fluid communication with the outlet whenthe second housing is connected to the first housing, and a sealingmember disposed in the first housing adjacent the outlet, the sealingmember sealing the outlet in the first housing when the second housingis disengaged from the first housing.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe detailed description which follows, and in part will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognizedby practicing the invention as described herein, including the detaileddescription which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description of the present embodiments of theinvention, and are intended to provide an overview or framework forunderstanding the nature and character of the invention as it isclaimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention, and are incorporated into and constitutea part of this specification. The drawings illustrate variousembodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve toexplain the principles and operations of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a valve forregulating the flow of a liquid according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the housings of the valve in FIG.1 separated from one another;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the housings of the valve in FIG. 1separated from one another;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the valve of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view from the left side of the valve in FIG.4;

FIG. 6 is a cross section view of the valve along the line 6-6- in FIG.1 with one magnet in a first position and sealing the valve;

FIG. 7 is a cross section view of the valve along the line 7-7 in FIG.1;

FIG. 8 is a cross section view of the valve along the line 8-8 in FIG. 1with the magnet in a second position and allowing liquid to flowtherethrough;

FIG. 9 is a cross section view of the valve along the line 9-9 in FIG.2; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the valve connected to tubing on oneend and a collection bag on the other end.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferredembodiment(s) of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numeralswill be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

One embodiment of the present invention illustrated in the figures isdirected is a valve 10 for regulating the flow of a liquid. The valve 10has a first housing 12 and a second housing 14 that is removablyattachable to the first housing 12. The first housing 12 has a catheterconnector 16 having a proximal end 18 and a distal end 20, the proximalend 18 of the catheter connector 16 has an inlet 22 that is configuredto engage a tubing (see, e.g., FIG. 10). The inlet 22, as illustrated,has a generally smooth outer surface that increases in diameter from theend of the inlet 22 toward the remaining portion of the catheterconnector 16. The inlet 22 may have any other configuration that allowsfor connection to tubing and still fall within the scope of the presentinvention. The first and second housings 12,14 are preferably made froma K-Resin SBC material.

As best illustrated in FIG. 4, the catheter connector 16 also has anopening 24 that functions as a sampling port. The opening 24 preferablyhas a needleless port 26. The needleless port 26 allows for insertion ofa needleless syringe (not shown) to withdraw a sample of the liquid(generally urine) for testing. The needleless port 26 is preferably aresealable opening. The needleless port 26 has a main body 28 and theresealable portion 30, the resealable portion 30 may or may not have apre-cut slit therein. It is also possible that the needleless port 26 isa single unit and not made of two different portions. The main body 28is preferably made of polypropylene and the resealable portion 30 ispreferably made of a thermoplastic elastomer, but any appropriatematerials may be used.

The catheter connector 16 also has an opening 40 at the distal end 20that is in fluid communication with the inlet 22. The opening 40 has arecessed portion 40 a adjacent the distal end 20 into which a firstmagnet housing 42 is disposed, sealing the opening 40 of the catheterconnector 16. See, e.g., FIGS. 6-9. The first magnet housing 42 has abase plate 44 that has the same configuration as the opening 40 and anopening 46 in the base plate 44 to allow the liquid to passtherethrough. On a first side 48 of the base plate 44 a first magnet 50is secured. The first magnet 50 is secured in extensions 52 that extendfrom the first side 48 of the base plate 44 to keep the first magnet 50at a predetermined distance from the opening 46 and a second magnet,which is described in more detail below. The first magnet housing 42preferably has on a second side 54 a raised portion 56 around theopening 46. As described in more detail below, the raised portionprovides a surface against which the second magnet can maintain contactto seal the opening 46.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6-9, second magnet housing 60, also apart of the first housing 12, is attached to the first magnet housing 40and the catheter connector 16 and extends distally from the catheterconnector 16. The second magnet housing 60 is preferably generallycup-shaped, having a base member 62 and a peripheral wall 64, with anopening 66 in the base member 62 to allow the liquid to flowtherethrough. Extending from the base member 62 toward the catheterconnector 16 and the first magnet housing 42 are extensions 68 thatslidingly hold a the second magnet 70. Preferably, there are fourextensions 68, but there may be other numbers of extensions and still bewithin the scope of the invention. The extensions 68 also have a surface72 to engage the second magnet 70 and prevent the second magnet 70 frommoving too far distally (toward the base member 62). The second magnet70 is drawn magnetically toward the first magnet 50 causing the secondmagnet 70 to engage the raised portion 56 around the opening 46, therebyclosing the opening 46 and preventing the flow of liquid through thevalve 10. However, when sufficient liquid is present in the opening 40and exerts pressure on the second magnet 70 sufficient to overcome themagnetic attraction between the two magnets 50,70, then the secondmagnet 70 moves axially away from the opening 46 within the extensions68 (but no farther than the surfaces 72) to allow the liquid to drainthrough the opening 46 (and the tubing that is inserted into bladder ofa patient). When the liquid has drained away and removes this force,then the magnetic attraction causes the second magnet 70 to once againclose the opening 46.

The second magnet housing 60 has on a bottom side 80 a recessed portion82 to receive an elastic member 84 that engages and biases a sealingmember 90 toward the second housing 14 in a drain end 92. While a coilspring is illustrated as the elastic member 84, any appropriate style ofspring or elastic member may be used to bias the sealing member 90. Thesealing member 90 preferably has two elements, a main sealing member 94and a resilient cover member 96 that is attached to the main sealingmember 94. However, the sealing member 90 may be one integral elementrather than two separate elements and may be made from a single materialrather than multiple materials.

The drain end 92, which constitutes the last element of the firsthousing 12, is attached to the second magnet housing 60 and is in fluidcommunication with the inlet 22 in the catheter connector 16. See FIGS.4 and 6-9. The drain end 92 has a generally cylindrical center portion98 in which the sealing member 90 is slidingly movable. The cylindricalcenter portion 98 has an inlet 100 and an outlet 102. The sealing member90 is, as noted above, biased away from the second magnet housing 60 andtoward the outlet 102 of the drain end 92. The drain end 92 also has anouter portion 104 that is secured to the bottom side 80 of the secondmagnet housing 60. Between the cylindrical center portion 98 and theouter portion 104 is an opening 106 into which a cantilevered latch 108from the second housing 14 is inserted to hold the second housing 14 tothe first housing 12.

The second housing 14 has a proximal end 110 and a distal end 112. Thesecond housing 14 has an inner opening 114 that extends between theproximal end 110 and the distal end 112 and defines an inner surface116. The second housing 14 also has a outside surface 118 and an opening120 that extends between the outside surface 118 and the inner surface116. The opening 120 functions as a vent to allow air to enter the valve10 and the liquid to move through the valve 10 and into the collectionbag 140. See FIG. 10. The opening 120 is preferably covered by a Tyvekcovering 122 and a cover 124, which allows air to enter into the valve10 for complete (or near-complete) emptying of the valve 10 withoutallowing the liquid to escape therethrough.

Positioned within the inner opening 114 is a projection 130 that extendsfrom central portion 132 of the inner opening 114 toward the proximalend 110. The inner opening 114 also has in the central portion 132 (andpreferably at the location of the distal end 134 of the projection 130)a proximally-facing surface 136. The inner opening 114 is configured andsized to receive the cylindrical center portion 98 of the first housing12 therein and the proximally-facing surface 136 is positioned andconfigured such that the outer portions of outlet 102 of the drain end92 make contact with the surface 136 and seal the valve 10 to preventleaking when the two housings 12,14 are attached. The projection 130 isconfigured and sized, when the second housing 14 is connected to thefirst housing 12, to engage the sealing member 90 through the outlet 102of the drain end 92 and move it axially and in a proximate direction(toward the inlet 22). This allows for the liquid to drain from thefirst housing 12 in to the second housing 14. Openings spaced around thebottom of the projection 130 allow the liquid to pass around theprojection 130 and along the inner surface 114. Since the proximal end110 of the second housing 14 is, by way of the latch 108, removablymounted to the first housing 12, removing the second housing 14 alsoremoves the projection 130 from the drain end 92, allowing the sealingmember 90 to seal the outlet 102, even if the second magnet 70 moves toallow the liquid to pass through the opening 46. This allows the patientto, at least temporarily, be separated from a collection bag 140, whichis illustrated in FIG. 10.

As noted above, the first and second housings 12,14 are removablyattached to one another by the latch 108. By “removably attached,”Applicant means that the two housings 12,14 are intended to and canrepeatedly engage and disengage one another without any other elements(e.g., glues, adhesives, bands, etc.), structures, or destroying anyportions or parts that are intended to be used to attach housings 12,14.As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the latch 108 is integral with the button138, which when pressed then causes the latch 108 to be disengaged fromthe outer portion 104 of the drain end 92, and the housing 14 can beremoved from housing 12. It should also be noted that due to the tightfit of the cylindrical center portion 98 in the inner opening 114, onlyone latch 108 needs to be used to maintain the connection between thetwo housings 12,14. Other types of latches and numbers of latches mayalso be used with the valve 10 and still come within the scope of thepresent invention.

Turning now to FIGS. 6-10, the operation of the valve 10 will bedescribed in more detail. FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the valve10 through the latch 108. The position of the second magnet 70 is in theproximal position, that is the second magnet 70 is sealing off theopening 46 as it makes contact with the raised portion 56 around theopening 46. As can be seen in the left side of the figure, theprojection 130 has engaged the sealing member 90 through the outlet 102since the second housing 14 is attached to the first housing 12.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the valve 10 at a 90° angle to theview in FIG. 6. In this figure, the second magnet 70 is illustrated asif the liquid has exerted a sufficient force on the second magnet 70 tomove it away from the raised portion 56 around the opening 46 and towardthe surfaces 72.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of valve 10 in the same orientation asFIG. 6, but the second magnet 70 is is the open position and not closedas in FIG. 6. Additionally, the arrow indicates at least one path forthe liquid to pass through the valve 10.

FIG. 9 is a cross section of the valve 10 with the first housing 12 andthe second housing 14 separated from one another. In this figure, it isclear that the projection 130 no longer engages the sealing member 90,and the sealing member 90 is firmly in the outlet 102, preventing theliquid from exiting the first housing 12. This configuration allows apatient to disconnect the housings 12,14 for better mobility (or otherreasons), and not have to worry about the liquid draining onto the flooror other equally distasteful places. While the second magnet 70 isillustrated as being against the raised portion 56 around the opening46, thereby closing the opening 46, even if opening 46 were open, theliquid still would not leak from the first housing 12.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the present inventionwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus it isintended that the present invention cover the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

I claim:
 1. A valve for regulating the flow of a liquid therethroughcomprising: a first housing having an inlet and an outlet; a secondhousing removably attachable to the first housing, the second housinghaving an opening extending therethrough; a first magnet disposed in thefirst housing in a predetermined position, the first magnet beingstationary relative to the housing; a second magnet disposed in thefirst housing, the second magnet movable relative to the first magnet;and a sealing member disposed in the first housing adjacent the outlet,the sealing member sealing the outlet in the first housing when thesecond housing is disengaged from the first housing, wherein the secondmagnet is disposed between the first magnet and the sealing member. 2.The valve according to claim 1, further comprising a resealable openingdisposed in the first housing.
 3. The valve according to claim 1,further comprising a vent disposed in the second housing.
 4. The valveaccording to claim 1, wherein the outlet of the first housing engagesthe opening in the second housing.
 5. The valve according to claim 1,wherein the sealing member includes an elastic member that engages aportion of the first housing and the second housing has a projectionthat engages the sealing member and compresses the elastic member whenthe second housing engages the first housing.
 6. The valve according toclaim 1, wherein the first housing comprises: a catheter connectorhaving a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the catheterconnector having the inlet, the inlet configured to engage a tubing; afirst magnet housing disposed in the distal end of the catheterconnector, the first magnet housing having the first magnet securedtherein; a second magnet housing attached to the first magnet housingopposite the catheter connector, the second magnet housing having thesecond magnet disposed therein; and a drain end attached to the secondmagnet housing and having the outlet, the outlet in fluid communicationwith the inlet in the catheter connector.
 7. The valve according toclaim 6, wherein the second magnet is slidingly disposed in the secondmagnet housing and engages a portion of the first magnet housing in afirst position to prevent the liquid from passing through the firsthousing.
 8. The valve according to claim 2, wherein the resealableopening functions as a sampling port.
 9. The valve according to claim 6,wherein the tubing is configured to be inserted into the bladder of aperson.
 10. A valve for regulating the flow of a liquid therethroughcomprising: a first housing having an inlet and an outlet; a secondhousing removably attachable to the first housing, the second housinghaving an opening extending therethrough; a first magnet disposed in thefirst housing in a predetermined position, the first magnet beingstationary relative to the housing; a second magnet disposed in thefirst housing, the second magnet movable relative to the first magnet;and a sealing member disposed in the first housing adjacent the outlet,the sealing member sealing the outlet in the first housing when thesecond housing is disengaged from the first housing, wherein the sealingmember includes an elastic member that engages a portion of the firsthousing, and the second housing has a projection that engages thesealing member and compresses the elastic member when the second housingengages the first housing.
 11. The valve according to claim 10, furthercomprising a resealable opening disposed in the first housing.
 12. Thevalve according to claim 10, further comprising a vent disposed in thesecond housing.
 13. The valve according to claim 10, wherein the outletof the first housing engages the opening in the second housing.
 14. Avalve for regulating the flow of a liquid therethrough comprising: afirst housing having an inlet and an outlet; a second housing removablyattachable to the first housing, the second housing having an openingextending therethrough; a first magnet disposed in the first housing ina predetermined position, the first magnet being stationary relative tothe housing; a second magnet disposed in the first housing, the secondmagnet movable relative to the first magnet; and a sealing memberdisposed in the first housing adjacent the outlet, the sealing membersealing the outlet in the first housing when the second housing isdisengaged from the first housing, wherein the first housing furthercomprises: a catheter connector having a proximal end and a distal end,the proximal end of the catheter connector having the inlet, the inletconfigured to engage a tubing; a first magnet housing disposed in thedistal end of the catheter connector, the first magnet housing havingthe first magnet secured therein; a second magnet housing attached tothe first magnet housing opposite the catheter connector, the secondmagnet housing having the second magnet disposed therein; and a drainend attached to the second magnet housing and having the outlet, theoutlet in fluid communication with the inlet in the catheter connector.15. The valve according to claim 14, wherein the second magnet isslidingly disposed in the second magnet housing and engages a portion ofthe first magnet housing in a first position to prevent the liquid frompassing through the first housing.
 16. The valve according to claim 14,wherein the tubing is configured to be inserted into the bladder of aperson.